A detailed review of the economic impact Fort Drum had on the North Country's tri-county area over the last fiscal year shows $1,633,341,987 was leveraged in support of the 19,978 Soldiers and 26,671 Family members who call Fort Drum and the North Country home.

Since fiscal year 1988, this Army installation has infused more than $16,903,542,191 into the local economy.

"Since 1988 our investment in this community - our home - exceeds 16 billion dollars.But as much it's not this investment alone that makes us one of the top installations for Soldiers who reenlist to stay.We are an Army Community of Excellence because the North Country appreciates the service provided by our Soldiers, Families and Civilians as much as our economic impact," said Col.

Noel T. Nicolle, Fort Drum Garrison Commander.

Fort Drum is the largest employer in Northern New York with 19,978 Soldiers and 4,614 Civilian workers with payrolls totaling $1,012,895,645 and $204,183,368 respectively.

Retirees from all military branches who live in the 136XX zip code number 2,353. They are paid a total of $3,772,000 a month ($45,264,000 a year) which flows into our local economy.

Fort Drum posted another strong year in 2011 with $39,779,844 in contracts for construction, supplies and services; in addition to purchases on government credit cards in the tri-county area.

The Army Corps of Engineers awarded construction contracts totaling $202,200,000 which includes contractor pay for work at Fort Drum.

Area school districts received $21,850,776 in federal impact aid for the loss of traditional revenue sources due to a federal presence such as the military families who call the North Country home. In addition, Fort Drum authorized just over $721,000 in tuition assistance to local colleges. Approximately 525 active duty Soldiers used the tuition assistance program to enroll in local college partners and distance learning college courses.

The 2011 Fort Drum Economic Impact Statement is available at this link:

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